The SR20DET was first produced in the Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS in transverse form.

However the RWD Nissan Silvia and Nissan 180SX produced in 1991 were built with a longitudinally aligned SR20DET. Some of the 180SX's were released with the SR20DET while others had the naturally aspirated SR20DE.

The engine then went on to be used in the Nissan Avenir in 1995, the Nissan R'nessa in 1997, Nissan Presage in 1998 and Nissan Liberty in 1999, although these models did not gain the cult status that the earlier produced models did.

Out of all the Nissan models produced with the SR20DET, the Silvia was the longest running model to use it. The S14 and S15 use a bigger turbocharger than the S13 models.